United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947)

This aircraft was delivered on 17 October to TAB1 at Wagner Field, a disused auxiliary airfield at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Between 19 October and 28 October, numerous flights were made testing various aspects, including the double-slotted flaps system, which enabled the C-130 to fly at 85 knots on final approach at a very steep eight-degree glide slope. All aspects worked flawlessly, and a full profile test was scheduled for 29 October. The test's takeoff phase was executed flawlessly, setting a number of short takeoff records. The Lockheed test crew then assessed that the computer used to command the firing of the rockets during the landing sequence needed further calibration, and elected to manually input commands. The reverse-mounted (forward-facing) eight ASROC rockets for decelerating the aircraft's forward speed were situated in pairs on the fuselage's upper curvature behind the cockpit, and at the midpoint of each side of the fuselage beneath the uppers. Testing had determined that the upper pairs, fired sequentially, could be ignited while still airborne (specifically, at 20 feet), but that the lower pairs could only be fired after the aircraft was on the ground, with the descent-braking rockets also firing during the sequence. The flight engineer, blinded by the firing of the upper deceleration rockets, thought the aircraft was on the runway and fired the lower set early. The descent-braking rockets did not fire at all. Later unofficial disclaimers allegedly made by some of the Lockheed test crew's members asserted that the lower rockets fired themselves through an undetermined computer or electrical malfunction, which at the same time failed to fire the descent-braking rockets. As a result, the aircraft's forward flight was immediately reduced to nearly zero, dropping it hard to the runway and breaking the starboard wing between the third and fourth engines. During rollout, the trailing wing ignited a fire, but a medical evacuation helicopter dispersed the flame and crash response teams extinguished the fire within eight seconds of the aircraft stopping, enabling the crew to exit the aircraft safely. 74-1683 was dismantled and buried on-site for security reasons, but most of its unique systems were salvaged.

Shortly after takeoff from Fort Sill AFB, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. All five crew members were killed. They were en route to Columbus-Rickenbacker (Lockbourne AFB), Ohio.
Crew:
Cpt George Freeland Jr.,
Maj Thomas Brady,
Lt Col Donald Griffith,
T/Sgt Michael Snodgrass,
Sr Amn Robert Hass.

The crew was engaged in a low level training flight when the airplane crashed in a field near McMinnville. All four crew members were killed.

After landing at Posht-e Bādām AFB, the four engine airplane collided with a USMC Douglas RH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter registered 158761. The collision occurred in unknown circumstances and both aircraft were taking part to an evacuation of US citizens. All eight occupants on both aircraft were killed.

Following a logistic mission, the crew was returning to Adana-Incirlik Airbase. While descending to an altitude of 5,000 feet, the crew was cleared to continue to 3,000 feet when an explosion occurred in the left wing. Out of control, the airplane crashed on a hill located 25 km from the airbase and burst into flames. All 18 occupants were killed. It is believed that an explosion occurred in a fuel tank located in the left wing.

The crew was completing a local training flight at Castle AFB, consisting of touch-and-go maneuvers. Upon touchdown, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. Five crew members were killed while two others were injured.

The crew was completing a local training mission at Charleston Airport. Upon landing, the crew noticed the lack of a 'brakes released' light. After touchdown, thrust reversers failed to deploy because they were locked out by the touchdown relay, still in the Flight Mode. However, due to a malfunction, the n°4 thrust reverser did deploy. Normal brakes were inoperative. The copilot selected emergency brakes and then continued to make multiple attempts to deploy the spoilers. This caused the n°3 hydraulic system to lose pressure due to which in turn the emergency brakes failed. Then an electrical malfunction within the gear handle caused the nose gear to retract. The airplane came to rest in flames on its belly. All six crew members escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

On final approach to Fort Campbell AFB, the airplane lost height and crashed short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five crew members were killed.

En route from Pope AFB to Charleston, while flying in stormy weather, the four engine airplane went out of control, spiraled to the ground and crashed in a field. All six crew members were killed.

Shortly after takeoff from March AFB, while on a local training mission, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion about 2,5 miles southeast from the airfield. A crew member was seriously injured while five others were killed.